Vehicle headlight leveling control

ABSTRACT

Headlight leveling systems and methods are described. A determination can be made as to whether an input corresponding to a loading condition of the vehicle has been received from a vehicle occupant. If an input corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle has been received from the vehicle occupant, a headlight level setting can be determined based upon the input. Further, an orientation of a light emitting portion of a vehicle headlight assembly can be caused to be adjusted based on the headlight level setting. Manual lookup of a loading conditions correlation table by the vehicle occupant to determine a correct headlight level setting can be avoided. In some instances, responsive to receiving a signal indirectly indicative of a potential change in a loading condition of the vehicle, a prompt can be presented to a vehicle occupant to provide an input corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/455,963, filed on Aug. 11, 2014, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vehicle headlights and, moreparticularly, to headlight leveling control methods and systems.

BACKGROUND

Motor vehicles are generally equipped with headlights that areincorporated near the front of a vehicle to assist occupants of thevehicle to see conditions exterior to the vehicle and to allow othervehicles and pedestrians to clearly see the vehicle.

Headlights may be installed to provide particular light projection tosurrounding vehicle environments. Headlight intensity and direction aredesigned to provide an optimal amount of illumination to vehiclesurroundings while still ensuring the comfort of other vehicleoccupants. Under certain loading conditions, such as increased occupantsor hauling or towing cargo, the pitch angle of the vehicle may changeresulting in undesirable headlight projection that may lead to poorillumination of surrounding environments and/or discomfort for occupantsof nearby vehicles.

Headlight leveling systems have been developed to allow for the angle oflight projection to be changed depending on the load conditions of thevehicle. Some systems use a manual control located near a steeringwheel, and may be unintuitive to an occupant, hard to use, and requireexternal references to properly select headlight level. Such systemsgenerally utilize a physical switch near the steering controls withseveral numeric values for each setting, such as 0-5. ‘0’ may representthe setting without adjustment for loading conditions, and ‘5’ mayrepresent the maximum adjusted aim setting in the down direction. Whenthe vehicle is loaded, a user would then be required to reference anexternal calculation or table to select the correct headlight levelsetting, or be forced to guess on their own as to which setting iscorrect.

Automatic headlight leveling systems have been developed that requirethe use of sensors that determine vehicle conditions, but such systemsmay be undesirable due to cost and weight.

It will be desirable to provide manual vehicle headlight levelingcontrols that are easily understood and accessed by occupants of avehicle that utilize existing vehicle components and systems to reducethe likelihood that the vehicle is operated with undesirable headlightlevels.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods for vehicle headlight leveling are disclosed thatallow for intuitive manual adjustment of headlight levels. Someembodiments may include an input device incorporated into existingvehicle systems and may include graphical or textual representations ofvehicle loading conditions. The correct headlight leveling setting maybe determined by in-vehicle computing systems based on inputted vehicleloading conditions, and the setting may be automatically outputted to aheadlight level control mechanism. The system or method may also promptan occupant to adjust the headlight level in certain circumstances.

In one respect, the subject matter described herein is directed to aheadlight leveling system for a vehicle. The headlight leveling systemincludes one or more processors located onboard the vehicle. The one ormore processors can be configured to determine whether an inputcorresponding to a loading condition of the vehicle has been receivedfrom a vehicle occupant. If an input corresponding to the loadingcondition of the vehicle has been received from the vehicle occupant,the one or more processors can be configured to determine a headlightlevel setting based upon the input and cause an orientation of a lightemitting portion of a vehicle headlight assembly to be adjusted based onthe headlight level setting. Thus, manual lookup of a loading conditionscorrelation table by the vehicle occupant to determine a correctheadlight level setting can be avoided.

In another respect, the subject matter described herein is directed to amethod of headlight leveling for a vehicle. The method includesdetermining whether an input corresponding to a loading condition of thevehicle has been received from a vehicle occupant. If an inputcorresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle has been receivedfrom the vehicle occupant, the method includes determining, using one ormore processors, a headlight level setting based upon the input, andcausing an orientation of a light emitting portion of a vehicleheadlight assembly to be adjusted based on the headlight level setting.In this way, manual lookup of a loading conditions correlation table bythe vehicle occupant to determine a correct headlight level setting isavoided.

In still another respect, the subject matter described herein isdirected to a headlight leveling system for a vehicle. The headlightleveling system includes one or more processors located onboard thevehicle. The one or more processors can be configured to, responsive toreceiving a signal indirectly indicative of a potential change in aloading condition of the vehicle, cause a prompt to be presented withinthe vehicle for a vehicle occupant to provide an input corresponding tothe loading condition of the vehicle. Responsive to receiving an inputcorresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle from the vehicleoccupant, the one or more processors can be configured to determine aheadlight level setting based upon the input and to cause an orientationof a light emitting portion of a vehicle headlight assembly to beadjusted based on the headlight level setting. In such a headlightleveling system, manual lookup of a loading conditions correlation tableby the vehicle occupant to determine a correct headlight level settingcan be avoided. Further, the use of one or more sensors to directlydetect an actual change in the loading condition of the vehicle can beavoided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features, advantages, and other uses of the presentheadlight leveling systems and methods will become more apparent byreferring to the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle with headlights illuminated in anormal loading condition;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle with headlights illuminated in analtered loading condition;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a headlight leveling system in which the aspects,features, and elements disclosed herein may be implemented;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a method of headlight leveling operations inaccordance with this disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a method for prompting occupants by the headlightleveling system in accordance with this disclosure; and

FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective views of a vehicle display input for theheadlight leveling system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Vehicle headlight leveling methods and systems provide occupants of avehicle the ability to manually adjust headlight level in an efficientand intuitive manner. In some embodiments, a user may supply a currentvehicle loading condition to an input such as a vehicle information orentertainment system. The system may determine a headlight level settingbased on the received loading condition using an in-vehicle processorand/or memory. A signal indicative of the headlight level setting may besent to a headlight leveling device to change the orientation of thevehicle headlight in relation to the body of the vehicle. Someembodiments may prompt a user to input a vehicle loading condition ifthe vehicle recognizes changed vehicle characteristics.

As used herein, the terminology “headlight” or “headlamp” includes anyillumination device attached or incorporated within a vehicle to lightsurroundings ahead of a vehicle. Headlights may include assembliesadapted to produce both high and low beam settings.

As used herein, the terminology “memory” includes any computer-usable orcomputer-readable medium or device that can, for example, tangiblycontain, store, communicate, or transport any signal or information foruse by or in connection with any processor. Examples ofcomputer-readable storage mediums may include one or more read onlymemories, one or more random access memories, one or more registers, oneor more cache memories, one or more semiconductor memory devices, one ormore magnetic media, such as internal hard disks and removable disks,one or more magneto-optical media, one or more optical media such asCD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs), or any combinationthereof.

As used herein, the terminology “instructions” may include directionsfor performing any method, or any portion or portions thereof, disclosedherein, and may be realized in hardware, software, or any combinationthereof. For example, instructions may be implemented as informationstored in the memory, such as a computer program, that may be executedby a processor to perform any of the respective methods, algorithms,aspects, or combinations thereof, as described herein. In someembodiments, instructions, or a portion thereof, may be implemented as aspecial purpose processor, or circuitry, that may include specializedhardware for carrying out any of the methods, algorithms, aspects, orcombinations thereof, as described herein. Portions of the instructionsmay be distributed across multiple processors on the same machine ordifferent machines or across a network such as a local area network, awide area network, the Internet, or a combination thereof.

As used herein, the terminology “example”, “embodiment”,“implementation”, “aspect”, “feature”, or “element” indicate serving asan example, instance, or illustration. Unless expressly indicated, anyexample, embodiment, implementation, aspect, feature, or element isindependent of each other example, embodiment, implementation, aspect,feature, or element and may be used in combination with any otherexample, embodiment, implementation, aspect, feature, or element.

As used herein, the terminology “determine” and “identify”, or anyvariations thereof, includes selecting, ascertaining, computing, lookingup, receiving, determining, establishing, obtaining, or otherwiseidentifying or determining in any manner whatsoever using one or more ofthe devices shown and described herein.

As used herein, the terminology “or” is intended to mean an inclusive“or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise,or clear from context, “X includes A or B” is intended to indicate anyof the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A; Xincludes B; or X includes both A and B, then “X includes A or B” issatisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, thearticles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appendedclaims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unlessspecified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singularform.

Further, for simplicity of explanation, although the figures anddescriptions herein may include sequences or series of steps or stages,elements of the methods disclosed herein may occur in various orders orconcurrently. Additionally, elements of the methods disclosed herein mayoccur with other elements not explicitly presented and described herein.Furthermore, not all elements of the methods described herein may berequired to implement a method in accordance with this disclosure.Although aspects, features, and elements are described herein inparticular combinations, each aspect, feature, or element may be usedindependently or in various combinations with or without other aspects,features, and elements.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, there is depicted a vehicle 10 with a frontportion 12 and a rear portion 14. Vehicle 10 is shown as a four-doorsedan automobile, but it is contemplated that embodiments disclosedherein may be incorporated into several vehicles, such as passengerautomobiles, light and heavy duty trucks, commercial vehicles, ATVs,etc.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the vehicle with headlights illuminated in anormal loading condition. As used herein, a “typical” or “normal”loading condition may be defined as having minimal passengers and cargoand without towing external items. A horizontal axis 16 may be definedwith relation to vehicle 10 in a static state, and may be substantiallyparallel to a surface that vehicle 10 may be traveling on. Vehicle 10may typically include at least one headlight 18 adapted for illuminatinga light beam or projection in front of vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 1,during normal loading conditions headlight 18 may produce a correct beam20 in a direction outward from vehicle 10. As shown, correct beam 20 maybe one in which a top portion 22 of correct beam 20 extendssubstantially parallel to the ground or road surface. It is contemplatedthat other orientations are desired, such as requirements set by localor national regulations. Headlight assemblies described herein may beadjustable to alter or aim the pitch angle of a light source to changecharacteristics of light beams extending from headlight 18 in attemptsto correct or move an undesirable beam projection towards correct beam20.

Referring now to FIG. 2, vehicle 10 is shown having an altered loadingcondition wherein vehicle 10 has a different vehicle pitch angle thanduring normal loading conditions. The alternate loading condition mayresult from an increase of passengers or cargo within a passengercompartment of vehicle 10, the presence or increase of cargo within atrunk of vehicle 10, during towing of exterior items/trailers, or anycombination thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, a pitched axis 24 may be offsetfrom original axis 16 by pitch angle Θ to define the change in pitchangle due to vehicle loading conditions.

The difference in pitch angle Θ relative to axis 16 may result inundesirable beam 26 as shown in FIG. 2. Undesirable beam 26 may beangled relative to correct beam 20 at substantially the same angle aspitch angle Θ. An undesirable top portion 28 of undesirable beam 26 mayextend upwards away from the road surface and may result in undesirableconditions for occupants of nearby vehicles. For example, theundesirable beam 26 may shine into passenger compartments of oncomingvehicles resulting in reduced visibility or discomfort for occupants ofthe other vehicle. Headlight leveling systems described herein mayadjust the pitch angle of at least a portion of headlight 18 to moveundesirable beam 26 towards correct beam 20.

With reference to FIG. 3, portions of a headlight leveling system 100may be described. System 100 may include a processor 110 incommunication with an input/output device 120 and a memory 130.Processor 110 may be in communication with an adjusting device 140capable of changing characteristics of a headlight assembly 150. System100 may further include a power source, such as a vehicle battery orcontrol unit and other communication devices.

Although depicted as separate units, the processor 110, memory 130,input/output 120, or any combination thereof may be integrated in one ormore electronic or computing units. For example, processor 110,input/output device 120, and memory 130 may be integrated within aninformation and entertainment system located in vehicle 10.

The processor 110 may include any device or combination of devicescapable of manipulating or processing a signal or other informationnow-existing or hereafter developed, including optical processors,quantum processors, molecular processors, or a combination thereof.Processor 110 may, for example, be incorporated with a vehicleelectronic control unit (ECU) for in-vehicle information orentertainment systems.

Input/output device 120 may include any device adapted to receive inputfrom an occupant of a vehicle or display information while incommunication with processor 110, including now-existing or hereafterdeveloped technology. For example, input/output device 120 may be atouch screen or physical controls located in or on a dashboard orinstrument cluster of vehicle 10.

The memory 130 may include any tangible non-transitory computer-usableor computer-readable medium, capable of, for example, containing,storing, communicating, or transporting machine readable instructions,or any information associated therewith, for use by or in connectionwith the processor 110.

In some embodiments, adjusting device 140 may include one or more motordrivers and motors connected to a portion of a headlight assembly, suchas headlight housing, reflector, or brackets. The adjusting device 140may be adapted to convert electric signals from processor 110 tomechanical movements of at least a portion of headlight assembly 150.For example, adjusting device 140 may cause a portion of headlightassembly 150 containing a light source or reflective lens to be angledwith respect to a pivot point located within headlight assembly 150.

Headlight assembly 150 may include any exterior light assembly designedto provide illumination in front of a vehicle. Furthermore, headlightassembly 150 may include a variety of light sources such as tungsten,tungsten-halogen, halogen infrared reflective (HIR), high-intensitydischarge (HID), and light-emitting diodes (LED). Headlight assembly 150may include additional safety features, such as directional or steeringheadlights, automatic beam switching, adaptive front-lighting systems(AFS), dimming systems, and headlight washing systems.

In some embodiments, an occupant of vehicle 10 may input certain loadingconditions to system 100 via input/output device 120. For example, anoccupant may select different loading options presented via a displayunit located within vehicle 10. System 100 may then determine a correctheadlight level setting and adjust the headlights of vehicle 10accordingly.

In some embodiments, system 100 may also prompt occupants of vehicle 10to enter loading conditions of vehicle 10 in certain circumstances. Forexample, if system 100 detects a hauling or towing condition, it mayprompt a user to enter load conditions and adjust headlight levels. Itis contemplated that system 100 may be configured to prompt occupants ofa vehicle to input loading conditions at a variety of different times.For example, system 100 may be configured to prompt occupants duringeach detected loading change such as going from a normal loadingcondition to hauling or towing and vice versa.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a method 200 of headlight leveling operations inaccordance with this disclosure. In some embodiments, system 100 mayreceive load condition inputs from an occupant of vehicle 10 at step210. For example, load conditions may be selected or inputted by anoccupant via an in-vehicle display screen.

In some embodiments, system 100 may determine the correct headlightlevel based on the input received in step 220. For example, processor110 may determine a level setting based on instructions saved on memory130 and signals from the input/output device 120 indicative of loadconditions selected by the occupant. The instructions saved on memory130 may include a loading conditions correlation table that correlatesloading conditions to leveling settings. The correlation table mayinclude, for example, relationships between different vehicle loadingconditions and a headlight leveling setting. The level settings mayinclude discrete values that may correspond to different orientations ofheadlight assembly 150. Thus, occupants of vehicle 10 would not have tomanually look up a correlation table to determine a level setting.

In some embodiments, system 100 may determine whether the correctheadlight level is different from a current setting applied to theheadlights of vehicle 10 in step 230. If the setting is not differentfrom the current setting, no action need be taken by system 100.

If system 100 determines the correct headlight level setting differsfrom the current settings, a signal may be sent to adjust headlightorientation in step 240. For example, processor 110 may send a signal toadjusting device 140 indicative of a level setting. Adjusting device 140may then alter the pitch angle of a portion of headlight assembly 150.For example, adjusting device 140 may pivot or angle a light-emittingportion of headlight assembly 150.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a method 300 for prompting occupants by theheadlight leveling system in accordance with this disclosure. In someembodiments, system 100 may be adapted to detect haul or towingconditions of vehicle 10 in step 310. System 100 may be able tocommunicate with in-vehicle systems to detect when vehicle 10 has adifferent loading condition. For example, it may determine that vehicle10 is hauling an increased amount of weight or when vehicle 10 is towingan exterior trailer. System 100 may receive signals indicative ofelectrical connection/disconnection of a trailer, user selecting atow/haul mode, powertrain or body ECU signals indicative of certainvehicle dynamic performance, etc.

In some embodiments, system 100 may determine, upon detecting of achange in hauling or towing, whether load conditions were received froman occupant of vehicle 10 in step 320. If it is determined that loadconditions were not received, system 100 may prompt occupants of vehicle10 to input loading conditions in step 340. Prompts may include anyaudial or visual reminder or indication, such as a message displayed ona vehicle display.

If load conditions have been received, system 100 may determine whetherthe received load conditions reflect the current vehicle loadingconditions at step 330. For example, if system 100 detects that vehicle10 is towing a trailer, it may determine whether or not the loadconditions received by an occupant reflect such.

If system 100 determines the received conditions reflect the currentloading conditions, no further action may be needed. If the receivedload conditions do not reflect the current vehicle loading conditions,system 100 may prompt occupants to input loading conditions at step 340.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, perspective views of a vehicle displayinput for the headlight leveling system are shown. For example,input/output device 120 of system 100 may be the in-vehicle display 400.For example, display 400 may be a touch screen located in the centerarea of a vehicle dashboard. As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, display 400 may beadapted to show a variety of textual and visual graphics to allowoccupants to intuitively input vehicle loading conditions.

In some embodiments, occupants may input vehicle loading conditions byselecting graphical representations of the conditions of vehicle 10. Forexample, display 400 may include text prompt 410 and graphics 420 a-c asshown in FIG. 6A. Text prompt 410 may indicate to an occupant they mayselect a vehicle loading condition. Graphic 420 a may represent a normalor typical load condition, graphic 420 b may indicate a high payload orhauling condition, and graphic 420 c may indicate a towing condition.The selection of one of graphics 420 a-c may be the input received bysystem 100 and processor 110 to determine a correct headlight levelsetting.

As shown in FIG. 6B, in some embodiments, a vehicle loading conditioninput may also include the input of a specific weight or weight rangethat is being towed or hauled. For example, graphic 430 may prompt anoccupant to input a specific weight or weight range being towed usingtouch screen graphic 440.

In some embodiments, a user may input a level setting directly as shownin FIG. 6C. For example, graphic 450 may direct an occupant to enter alevel setting by selecting one of the touch screen graphics 460 a-fcorresponding to numbers 0-5. Graphics 470 a-b may be included to helpcorrelate the level settings to visual representations of vehicleloading conditions.

In addition to the images of FIGS. 6A-6C, it is contemplated that avariety of images, descriptions, and animations may be included toassist occupants in inputting the correct loading conditions.

In some embodiments, system 100 may allow for memory settings fordifferent load conditions. For example, system 100 may receive an inputfrom an occupant of vehicle 10 instructing system 100 to save aparticular load condition. System 100 may be adapted to prompt orreceive custom naming information correlating to the saved loadcondition. For example, an occupant may have two trailers that arecommonly towed by vehicle 10. System 100 may allow the occupant to savecustom load conditions for each trailer and allow the occupant to selectthe saved custom load conditions rather than the particular loadconditions of the vehicle. For example, the loading conditions may besaved in memory 130 and may be selected by an occupant using display400.

The above-described aspects, examples, and implementations have beendescribed in order to allow easy understanding of the application andare not limiting. On the contrary, the application covers variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope ofthe appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructure as is permitted under the law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A headlight leveling system for a vehicle, theheadlight leveling system comprising: one or more processors locatedonboard the vehicle; and a vehicle display operatively connected to theone or more processors, the vehicle display being configured to presenta plurality of graphics to a vehicle occupant, the plurality of graphicsrepresenting different loading conditions of the vehicle including atleast a normal loading condition and an altered loading condition, theplurality of graphics being selectable by the vehicle occupant suchthat, when one of the plurality of graphics is selected, an inputcorresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle represented by theselected one of the graphics is received from the vehicle occupant, theone or more processors being configured to: if an input corresponding tothe loading condition of the vehicle is received from the vehicleoccupant: determine a headlight level setting based upon the input; andcause an orientation of a light emitting portion of a vehicle headlightassembly to be adjusted based on the headlight level setting, wherebymanual lookup of a loading conditions correlation table by the vehicleoccupant to determine a correct headlight level setting is avoided. 2.The headlight leveling system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle display isa vehicle touchscreen display, and wherein the vehicle touchscreendisplay is configured to receive an input corresponding to the loadingcondition of the vehicle from the vehicle occupant.
 3. The headlightleveling system of claim 1, further including: a memory operativelyconnected to the one or more processors, the memory including a loadingconditions correlations table stored thereon, and wherein determiningthe headlight level setting based upon the input includes determining,using the loading conditions correlation table, the headlight settingbased upon the input.
 4. A headlight leveling system for a vehicle, theheadlight leveling system comprising: one or more processors locatedonboard the vehicle, the one or more processors being configured to:responsive to receiving a signal indirectly indicative of a potentialchange in a loading condition of the vehicle, cause a prompt to bepresented within the vehicle for a vehicle occupant to provide an inputcorresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle; if an inputcorresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle is received fromthe vehicle occupant: determine a headlight level setting based upon theinput; and cause an orientation of a light emitting portion of a vehicleheadlight assembly to be adjusted based on the headlight level setting,whereby manual lookup of a loading conditions correlation table by thevehicle occupant to determine a correct headlight level setting isavoided.
 5. A headlight leveling system for a vehicle, the headlightleveling system comprising: one or more processors located onboard thevehicle, the one or more processors being configured to: responsive toreceiving a signal indirectly indicative of a potential change in aloading condition of the vehicle, the signal being indicative ofelectrical connection or disconnection of a trailer, cause a prompt tobe presented within the vehicle for a vehicle occupant to provide aninput corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle; and if aninput corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle is receivedfrom the vehicle occupant: determine a headlight level setting basedupon the input; and cause an orientation of a light emitting portion ofa vehicle headlight assembly to be adjusted based on the headlight levelsetting, whereby manual lookup of a loading conditions correlation tableby the vehicle occupant to determine a correct headlight level settingis avoided.
 6. A headlight leveling system for a vehicle, the headlightleveling system comprising: one or more processors located onboard thevehicle, the one or more processors being configured to: responsive toreceiving a signal indirectly indicative of a potential change in aloading condition of the vehicle, the signal being an input receivedfrom a vehicle occupant selecting a tow mode or a haul mode for thevehicle, cause a prompt to be presented within the vehicle for thevehicle occupant to provide an input corresponding to the loadingcondition of the vehicle; and if an input corresponding to the loadingcondition of the vehicle is received from the vehicle occupant:determine a headlight level setting based upon the input; and cause anorientation of a light emitting portion of a vehicle headlight assemblyto be adjusted based on the headlight level setting, whereby manuallookup of a loading conditions correlation table by the vehicle occupantto determine a correct headlight level setting is avoided.
 7. Aheadlight leveling system for a vehicle, the headlight leveling systemcomprising: one or more processors located onboard the vehicle, the oneor more processors being configured to: responsive to receiving a signalindirectly indicative of a potential change in a loading condition ofthe vehicle, the signal being a powertrain or body electronic controlunit signal indicative of vehicle dynamic performance relating tohauling or towing, cause a prompt to be presented within the vehicle fora vehicle occupant to provide an input corresponding to the loadingcondition of the vehicle; and if an input corresponding to the loadingcondition of the vehicle is received from the vehicle occupant:determine a headlight level setting based upon the input; and cause anorientation of a light emitting portion of a vehicle headlight assemblyto be adjusted based on the headlight level setting, whereby manuallookup of a loading conditions correlation table by the vehicle occupantto determine a correct headlight level setting is avoided.
 8. A methodof headlight leveling for a vehicle, the method comprising: presenting aplurality of graphics to a vehicle occupant on a vehicle display, theplurality of graphics representing different loading conditions of thevehicle including at least a normal loading condition and an alteredloading condition, and, when one of the plurality of graphics isselected by the vehicle occupant, an input corresponding to the loadingcondition of the vehicle represented by the selected one of the graphicsis received from the vehicle occupant; and if an input corresponding tothe loading condition of the vehicle is received from the vehicleoccupant: determining, using one or more processors, a headlight levelsetting based upon the input; and causing an orientation of a lightemitting portion of a vehicle headlight assembly to be adjusted based onthe headlight level setting, whereby manual lookup of a loadingconditions correlation table by the vehicle occupant to determine acorrect headlight level setting is avoided.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the input corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicleis a specific weight or a weight range.
 10. A method of headlightleveling for a vehicle, the method comprising: responsive to receiving asignal indirectly indicative of a potential change in a loadingcondition of the vehicle, cause a prompt to be presented within thevehicle for a vehicle occupant to provide an input corresponding to theloading condition of the vehicle if an input corresponding to theloading condition of the vehicle is received from the vehicle occupant:determining, using one or more processors, a headlight level settingbased upon the input; and causing an orientation of a light emittingportion of a vehicle headlight assembly to be adjusted based on theheadlight level setting, whereby manual lookup of a loading conditionscorrelation table by the vehicle occupant to determine a correctheadlight level setting is avoided.
 11. A method of headlight levelingfor a vehicle, the method comprising: responsive to receiving a signalindirectly indicative of a potential change in a loading condition ofthe vehicle, the signal being indicative of electrical connection ordisconnection of a trailer, causing a prompt to be presented within thevehicle for a vehicle occupant to provide an input corresponding to theloading condition of the vehicle; and if an input corresponding to theloading condition of the vehicle is received from the vehicle occupant:determining, using one or more processors, a headlight level settingbased upon the input; and causing an orientation of a light emittingportion of a vehicle headlight assembly to be adjusted based on theheadlight level setting, whereby manual lookup of a loading conditionscorrelation table by the vehicle occupant to determine a correctheadlight level setting is avoided.
 12. A method of headlight levelingfor a vehicle, the method comprising: responsive to receiving a signalindirectly indicative of a potential change in a loading condition ofthe vehicle, the signal being an input received from a vehicle occupantselecting a tow mode or a haul mode for the vehicle, causing a prompt tobe presented within the vehicle for the vehicle occupant to provide aninput corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle; and if aninput corresponding to the loading condition of the vehicle is receivedfrom the vehicle occupant: determining, using one or more processors, aheadlight level setting based upon the input; and causing an orientationof a light emitting portion of a vehicle headlight assembly to beadjusted based on the headlight level setting, whereby manual lookup ofa loading conditions correlation table by the vehicle occupant todetermine a correct headlight level setting is avoided.
 13. A method ofheadlight leveling for a vehicle, the method comprising: responsive toreceiving a signal indirectly indicative of a potential change in aloading condition of the vehicle, the signal being a powertrain or bodyelectronic control unit signal indicative of vehicle dynamic performancerelating to hauling or towing, causing a prompt to be presented withinthe vehicle for a vehicle occupant to provide an input corresponding tothe loading condition of the vehicle; and if an input corresponding tothe loading condition of the vehicle is received from the vehicleoccupant: determining, using one or more processors, a headlight levelsetting based upon the input; and causing an orientation of a lightemitting portion of a vehicle headlight assembly to be adjusted based onthe headlight level setting, whereby manual lookup of a loadingconditions correlation table by the vehicle occupant to determine acorrect headlight level setting is avoided.